Why are property managers so mean to each other?

Did the title of this article make you read? I had to make an impact to hopefully assist in relation to ethical behaviours when managements are lost to other agents.

Some property managers make it incredibly hard for the new agent acting for the owner when a management is lost. Why? No one likes losing business however property management is hard enough without infighting within ourselves.

There are sometimes situations where there are question marks as to how the new agent actually gained the new business which resulted in the agency losing a valued client. Whilst this is frustrating and unethical, there is a saying that 'you cannot lose a happy client'. I agree with that statement to some extent; a client may well be happy but enticed due to lower fees therefore better for them. And that is the point, to them it is about them and to us it should be as well. We also would hope in most cases, that we may gain that client back again in the future. It is business, and is not personal.

Property management is hard enough; regardless of your view of an agency or a fellow property manager, try not to make lives harder by delaying and or even refusing to pass on key documents on behalf of your lessor client. The point is we work for the lessor, the documents are the lessor's and we merely act on their behalf and although we have lost the business, we may get it back again plus want to be the professional person.

Only provide copies and if you are concerned about cost of producing the documents, provide them electronically where able.  Always keep originals in your office.


Following is a suggested best practice list of documents that should  be handed over (QLD references);

Tenant ledger (which will show the tenant rent paid to date)

Tenant application form and identification

Current General Tenancy Agreement

RTA Form 5 – change of lessor/agent

Entry condition report

All keys to the property

Any other matters outstanding such as maintenance or relevant to the lessor upon handover

If an agency is not forthcoming in providing the recommended documents, ask the lessor to obtain them. The lessor owns the file as managing agents are only representing the lessor via the management agreement.

(c) www.realestateexcellence.com.au